Atlanta has one of the strongest tree protection ordinances in the South. Removal of any tree 6 in DBH or larger requires a permit from the city arborist, with recompense for healthy trees.
Atlanta Code Ch. 158, Art. II (the Tree Protection Ordinance) regulates trees on private property as well as public right-of-way. Any tree 6 inches or greater DBH (diameter at breast height) requires a permit before removal, with recompense required for healthy trees. Routine pruning of less than 25% of the canopy is generally allowed without a permit; aggressive topping or removal of structural limbs triggers permit review. Trees in the public right-of-way are managed by Atlanta's city arborist and cannot be pruned by residents without approval. The ordinance has been under revision since 2017 through the Tree Protection Ordinance Rewrite process. Recompense fees fund the Atlanta Tree Trust.
Illegal tree removal can carry fines from $500 per inch DBH up to tens of thousands per tree, plus replacement requirements.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fulton County.
See how other cities in Fulton County handle tree trimming.
See how Atlanta's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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